Abstract: A high power photovoltaic connector includes two, preferably cylindrical, bimetallic connectors having a copper end and an aluminium end that are connected to each other by their copper end preferably in the form of a shovel making a joint by tightening elements and to an aluminium conductor by its cylindrical aluminium end making such a joint by a tightening matrix or screws preferably furnished on the aluminium end. The tightening matrix compresses the aluminium end and the aluminium conductor together due to deformation. Both the aluminium end and the aluminium conductor are made of the same material with identical or very similar mechanical properties. The resulting tightening matrix achieves compresses the aluminium end of the bimetallic connectors once the aluminium conductor has been inserted into it so that the assembly is fixed due to the deformation of the aluminium.

Abstract: Solar plants are based on the conversion of sun light power into electricity; to do so, solar cells are mainly used nowadays. Solar cells need to be arranged in such a way sun light hits the face of the solar panel bearing the solar cells, furthermore, the solar cells must be clean so no substance blocks sunlight. A system for maximizing power output in solar plants and a method for maximizing power output in solar plants both are based on the deployment of two irradiation sensor, specifically arranged at a certain solar tracker of the solar plant, that capture irradiation levels and generate readings of the irradiation levels when the solar panel is operated by the solar tracker following the sun path.

Abstract: Solar trackers are designed to withstand high wind loads, eventually by oversizing the structure and incurring in higher material cost and rendering high costs scenarios when deploying solar trackers in solar fields. A solar tracker and a method for operating the solar tracker yields a solution highly structured solar trackers by providing a single horizontal axis solar tracker associated to at least one bifacial photovoltaic module. The single horizontal axis solar tracker has a bifacial photovoltaic module associated to the torque tube using a joint fixture along one of the sides of the bifacial solar module so that the solar module jointly moves when the torque tube rotates. The single horizontal axis solar tracker may be operating according to the time of the day consequently to the available sunlight, so that a face of the bifacial photovoltaic module associated to the torque tube is facing the sun.

Abstract: A method and a system include multiple controllers arranged along the horizontal axis in order to distribute the torque along the axis or torque tube of a solar tracker. The controllers are associated to actuators intended to operate on the angular position of the torque tube. The controllers are operated in dual role basis, such that a controller acting as master controller performs the calculations of the rotational movements to be induced by the actuators associated to the slave controllers.

Abstract: At least one solar tracker has a rotating structure, which supports bifacial photovoltaic solar panels, in order to provide the panels with a solar tracking rotation around, at least, a non-azimuth axis of rotation; and a control unit which commands the tracker; and an albedo reflector arranged on the ground on one side or on both sides of the solar tracker with respect to the non-azimuth axis of rotation, next to the tracker itself, wherein the albedo reflector in turn comprises a reflective membrane which reflects albedo radiation towards the panels. Albedo radiation is optimally harnessed.

Abstract: The supporting structure comprises an omega-profile shaped metal support (3) with: horizontal upper portion (4), for vertically supporting photovoltaic panels (2); two flat lower portions (5) extending on both sides of upper portion (4), and connecting portions (6), connecting upper portion (4) with lower portions (5). Lower portions (5) include attaching holes (7) for attaching the lower portions (5) to ground through attaching means (8). Upper portion (4) and connecting portions (6) define inner hole (10) locating a gathering cabling (11) for gathering the electricity collected by each panel (2). The installation comprises photovoltaic panels (2) mounted on supporting structures. Preferably, albedo optimizing elements (21), attached to the metal support (3) are also included for improving capturing of albedo radiation. The invention helps to reduce foundation material, make mechanical and electrical contacts easier and raising gathering efficiency.

Abstract: A frame includes a support structure made up of profiles for supporting photovoltaic panels, and which has two lateral sides; and at least one reinforcement element mounted in correspondence with the corresponding lateral side thereof for supporting additional loads to the weight of the cells. It further includes connection means for connecting to a torsion tube. In one exemplary embodiment the reinforcement element is a solid gusset from which the lateral sides are suspended, as well as the connection means include upper and lower clamps with a shape adapted to the torsion tube to avoid relative rotation, and which are tightened against the torsion tube by means of bolts which pass through the clamps and corresponding nuts, the upper clamp comprising lateral grooves to fit the reinforcement elements.

Abstract: A method for reducing shading in a photovoltaic plant, said photovoltaic plant includes a plurality of solar trackers, made up of one or more photovoltaic panels, arranged in adjacent parallel rows at a given predetermined distance; an actuator, controlled by a tracker controller, which enables each solar tracker to rotate independently regarding the other solar trackers of the row around said North-South axis; and a control system which includes a communication network enabling a bidirectional communication between each tracker controller and a central control unit which controls the photovoltaic plant. The method uses an algorithm executed by a processor of the central control unit, which determines a tilt angle (?) for each solar tracker in each row inputted in the algorithm, using constant and variable data of each solar tracker, and by selecting either a first (“Morning”) or a second configuration (“Afternoon”).

Abstract: System and method for controlling a photovoltaic installation (1), comprising a plurality of solar trackers (8), comprising a plurality of PV panels (9), rotatable around a rotation axis (5), arranged in several parallel rows at a given distance. Each solar tracker (8) has two antennas (2, 3) and at least one tracker controller. An external control unit (4) is connected to the solar trackers (8) of a central head-tracker row (20), which then communicates through a wireless bidirectional network (7), with the sub-tracker rows (30) using only one of the antennas (2, 3). A processing unit in each tracker controller executes an algorithm to determine which antenna (2, 3) is in an optimal position to transmit data or receive orders, requiring data of at least: an angular position and a strength and quality measurement of a radiofrequency signal, of each antenna for each solar tracker (8).

Abstract: System and method for controlling a photovoltaic installation (1), comprising a plurality of solar trackers (8), comprising a plurality of PV panels (9), rotatable around a rotation axis (5), arranged in several parallel rows at a given distance. Each solar tracker (8) has two antennas (2, 3) and at least one tracker controller. An external control unit (4) is connected to the solar trackers (8) of a central head-tracker row (20), which then communicates through a wireless bidirectional network (7), with the sub-tracker rows (30) using only one of the antennas (2, 3). A processing unit in each tracker controller executes an algorithm to determine which antenna (2, 3) is in an optimal position to transmit data or receive orders, requiring data of at least: an angular position and a strength and quality measurement of a radiofrequency signal, of each antenna for each solar tracker (8).

Abstract: A method for reducing shading in a photovoltaic plant, said photovoltaic plant includes a plurality of solar trackers, made up of one or more photovoltaic panels, arranged in adjacent parallel rows at a given predetermined distance; an actuator, controlled by a tracker controller, which enables each solar tracker to rotate independently regarding the other solar trackers of the row around said North-South axis; and a control system which includes a communication network enabling a bidirectional communication between each tracker controller and a central control unit which controls the photovoltaic plant. The method uses an algorithm executed by a processor of the central control unit, which determines a tilt angle (?) for each solar tracker in each row inputted in the algorithm, using constant and variable data of each solar tracker, and by selecting either a first (“Morning”) or a second configuration (“Afternoon”).

Abstract: Photovoltaic cabling optimization for trackers using a plug and play harness configuration. A cable harness configuration for a photovoltaic, PV, installation including a plurality of solar trackers arranged in rows in a N-S direction, each solar tracker comprising a plurality of photovoltaic modules, and a switch-box or an inverter, the cable harness configuration comprising a plurality of output strings, for each solar tracker, a trunk cable, and one or more connector devices connecting said plurality of strings and said trunk cable. Each solar tracker has associated a fuse-box with a plurality of connection inputs and said fuse-box has a single cable or connector output which is connected to the trunk cable through the use of said connector device.

Abstract: Photovoltaic cabling optimization for trackers using a plug and play harness configuration. A cable harness configuration for a photovoltaic, PV, installation including a plurality of solar trackers arranged in rows in a N-S direction, each solar tracker comprising a plurality of photovoltaic modules, and a switch-box or an inverter, the cable harness configuration comprising a plurality of output strings, for each solar tracker, a trunk cable, and one or more connector devices connecting said plurality of strings and said trunk cable. Each solar tracker has associated a fuse-box with a plurality of connection inputs and said fuse-box has a single cable or connector output which is connected to the trunk cable through the use of said connector device.

Abstract: The collector/concentrator includes a primary concave reflector (1) supported on a base body (3) obtained by injection moulding, which defines a central support (5) supporting a region around a central opening (6) of the primary reflector (1), a plurality of peripheral legs (7) supporting respective peripheral regions of the primary reflector (1) and first integral connection members (8) connecting said peripheral legs (7) with the central support (5). The peripheral legs (7) have bottom ends (7a) leaning on a substantially flat supporting surface and top ends (7b) located above the peripheral regions of the primary reflector (1) that are in contact with a substantially flat transparent panel (15) supporting a secondary convex reflector (2) that concentrates the solar radiation reflected by the primary reflector (1) towards a receiver unit (18) through the central opening (6).